New law in Baltimore bars sodas from kids’ menus

Britain's sugar tax on soft drinks came into effect on Friday, a move that will lead to some higher prices as the country seeks to battle childhood obesity. Kate King looks at whether it may also mean slimmer margins for drinks manufacturers.
Video provided by Reuters
Newslook

Baltimore is now the biggest U.S. city and the first on the East Coast to pass this kind of measure, said Shawn McIntosh, director of the Sugar Free Kids Maryland advocacy group. Seven California cities and Lafayette, Colorado, have enacted similar ordinances, according to health officials.

Milk, 100 percent fruit juices, water and flavored or sparkling water without added sweeteners must now be the default beverages for kids’ meals at Baltimore eateries. Mayor Catherine Pugh signed the legislation earlier this year.

The ordinance is intended to stop youngsters’ overconsumption of sugary drinks, perceived as a key factor in high rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes.

“Taking out empty calories from sugary drinks is a powerful lifestyle change we can make to help our children to get and stay healthy. This law will help families make the healthy choice the easy choice,” Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said in a statement.

One in four Baltimore children currently down at least one soda each day, according to Sugar Free Kids Maryland. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that one in three school-aged kids in the city is obese.

Baltimore restaurants that don’t comply with the ordinance will face a $100 penalty, McIntosh said. She said eateries “have hopefully gotten on board” already and changed their printed menus for kids, but they’re not expected to have fully made that switch by Wednesday.

“They have to at least put a sticker on, have signage. Their online menus have to be changed because that’s an easy fix. So they’re not expecting them to print all new menus by today,” she said.

Youngsters can still drink soda at city restaurants if an accompanying adult orders it for them.

The “Healthy Beverages for Children’s Meals” ordinance was opposed by the Restaurant Association of Maryland. In a Wednesday email, association vice president Melvin Thompson said, “Public policy that interferes with the minutiae of restaurant operations exacerbates the business challenges already facing city restaurants.”

CLOSE

If you’re a fan of LaCroix, Perrier, and other seltzer waters—or if a vodka soda is your jam—then these alcoholic seltzers may be your perfect beer alternative.
Time